Adjustable shoe-tree



Patented July 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES ALFRED VICTORIN ARGENCE, OE PARIS, FRI- 1N CE.

ADJUSTABLE stron-TREE; f

Application led March 17, 1926, Serial No. 95,385, and in France March 19, 1,925.

This invention relates to an adjustable shoe-tree of the type comprising a fore part and a heel part connected by a metallic link.

ln prior devices of this type the fore part is movable by operation of a rack presented by the link and engaged by an externally operable pinion, the pinion and its actuator' being carried by the heel part.

Now, for certain classes of foot-wear, par ticularly low shoes, it is advantageous that the operating mechanism be mounted on the fore part of the tree, the fore part being then stationary and the heel part which is of smaller dimensions being movable.

Further, in previous constructions there is always a wide gap between the fore part and the heel part which is unsightly and practically excludes the use of such trees for displaying high-class shoes.

The present invention relates to a shoe tree which obviates these drawbacks.

In the shoe-tree of the invention, Vthe connection of the two parts of the tree is effected, as in known constructions, by means of a rack operable by a pinion, but the latter and its operating means are mounted on the fore part of the tree which remains stationary while the heel part is movable. The gap which separates the fore part from the heel part may be reduced and masked by a bridge of U-section which is fixed to the upper face of the heel part and overlies the upper' face of the fore part of the tree. Preferably these upper faces are dished or concaved so that there will be no part projecting from the tree when fitted in a low shoe. A shoetree thus constructed appears to fill the shoe completely without leaving any gap; further, it is easier to move the heel part than to move the fore part by reason of the smaller dimensions and less weight of the heel part.

In the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 are elevations with certain parts in section of the improved tree fitted to a low shoe before and after being expanded. Fig. 3 is a plan; Fig. 4 is an end view of the forward face of the heel part.

Referring to the drawing, 1 denotes the fore part of the tree and 2 the heel part; these parts are freely connected by the link 3 which is movable in a slot 14 on the under side of the fore part 1 and engages a socket 13 in the heel part 2.

The link is formed on its upper edge with rack teeth 9 and has a longitudinal slot 23 rinsert 27.

-under side-of the part 1, which is continued .penetrated by two transverse pins 10 and 11 a in an upward direction by a bore of smaller s diameter, there is mounted a spindle 12,.Y to

the upper projecting end of which is'iittedv a milled head 16. At its lower end the spindle 412 carries a worm 18 co-operatingwith a pinion 19 which kin turn engages the rack9. The pinion 19 is free to turn in the slot 14 around a pin 20.

To the upper face of the heel part 2 is fixed by screws, for example, a metallic bridge 24 which covers the gap between the upper face of the heel part and the fore part (Figs. 1 and 3).

The tree is adjusted as follows By manipulation of the milled head 16 the rack is moved along the slot 14 in the direction of the arrow b; the two parts 1 and 2 of the tree are fitted in the shoe, the rear ends 4 of the link 3 being seated in the socket 13 and the bridge 24 covering as far as possible the upper face of the fore part 1. The milled head 16 is now turned in the opposite direction whereby the rack is moved in the direction of the arrow a, Fig. 2. As the rear end 4 of the link 3 engages the bottom of the socket 13 it thrusts the part 2 in the direction of the arrow a and thus eX- pands the tree within the shoe.

During this movement the bridge 24 serves to guide the part 2.

The gap 25 between the two parts of the tree is masked along the sides and on the top by the sides and roof of the bridge 24.

To collapse the tree for withdrawal from the shoe, the milled head 16 is turned backwards.

The upper face of the tree, that is the upper faces of the parts 1 and 2, may be dished or concaved as shown at 26, so as to present no i protuberance projecting above the shoe. Also the socket 13 in the heelpart 2 in which is accommodated the end 4 of the link 3 may be presented by a metallic The concaved part 26 may be covered by a metallic plater28, Fig. 3.

That I claim is l. In a shoe-tree having a toe form and a heel form, a rack slidably mounted in said toe form and projecting into said heel form, a pinion mounted in said toe form anda worm in said toe form meshing with sald pinion, a bridge member fixed to one of said forms and overlapping'the other for covering the gap between said forms and guiding the movable form, and a spindle for operating said worm.

2. In a shoe-tree having a toe form and a heel form, a socket in said heel form, a rack sin said toe form projecting into said socket, a slot in said rack, pins carried by :said toe form and passing through said slot, a pinion in said toe form meshing with said rack and a worm in said toe form meshing with said pinion, a bridge member fixed to one of said forms and overlapping the other for covering the gap between said forms and guiding the movable form, and a spindle for operating said worm.

3. In a shoe-tree having a toe form and a vheel form, a rack slidably mounted in said toe form and projecting into said heel form,

a pinion mounted in said toe form, ay worm in Said toe form meshing with said pinion an operating spindle for said worm and a bridge member fixed to said heel form overlapping said toe form for covering the gap therebetween and a pair of guides on said bridge member cooperating with the sides of said toe form.

4. In a shoe tree having a toe form and a heel form, a rack slidably mounted in said toe form and proj eeting into said heel form, a pinion mounted in said toe form, a worm in said toe form meshing with, said pinion an operating spindle for said worm and a bridge member fixed to one of saidf forms and overlapping the other form for covering` the gap between said forms.

In testimony whereof I have signed my y name.

ALFRED VIGTORIN ARGENCE. 

